U.S. patent application number 11/053583 was filed with the patent office on 2005-09-01 for toothbrush.
Invention is credited to Kuchler, Thomas, Langgner, Tanja, Moskovich, Robert, Storz, Joachim.
Application Number | 20050188487 11/053583 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34889808 |
Filed Date | 2005-09-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050188487 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Moskovich, Robert ; et
al. |
September 1, 2005 |
Toothbrush
Abstract
A toothbrush includes a head having a bristle carrying surface
formed from a thin resilient flexible dome shaped membrane. An air
space is located between the base of the head and the membrane so
that the membrane is capable of flexing to alter its original shape
during use of the toothbrush and then recover to the original shape
randomly during use. In a further practice of the invention the
head and/or handle have elastomeric portions at least partially
surrounding an open area. These portions are readily deflectable
under pressure during use to improve handling of the toothbrush and
orientation of the cleaning elements. Alternatively the toothbrush
includes a longitudinal hinge collinear with the longitudinal axis
of the toothbrush head so as to separate the head into a pair of
side by side longitudinal sections, each of which has outwardly
extending cleaning elements. The hinge is made of a resilient
spring-like material to urge the sections to return to their
original position after the hinge has been opened as a result of
the cleaning elements contacting the teeth.
Inventors: |
Moskovich, Robert; (East
Brunswick, NJ) ; Langgner, Tanja; (London, GB)
; Storz, Joachim; (Zell am See, AT) ; Kuchler,
Thomas; (Schliem, AT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY
909 RIVER ROAD
PISCATAWAY
NJ
08855
US
|
Family ID: |
34889808 |
Appl. No.: |
11/053583 |
Filed: |
February 8, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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11053583 |
Feb 8, 2005 |
|
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PCT/US03/24878 |
Aug 8, 2003 |
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60402162 |
Aug 9, 2002 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
15/167.1 ;
15/201 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A46B 5/0029 20130101;
A46B 9/04 20130101; A46B 2200/1066 20130101; A46B 7/06
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
015/167.1 ;
015/201 |
International
Class: |
A46B 009/04 |
Claims
1. A toothbrush comprising a handle, a head secured to said handle,
said head being in the form of a base having an upstanding wall to
create a peripheral frame, a thin resilient membrane having a
periphery mounted to said frame, to create an open space between
said membrane and said base, the wall having a mounting surface for
receiving the periphery of the thin resilient membrane and for
enclosing the open space within the head, said membrane having an
initial condition of non-use, said membrane in said initial
condition being convex to have an original dome-like shape, at
least one cleaning element on said membrane extending away from the
head, and said membrane being capable of flexing to alter said
original shape during use of said toothbrush and then recovering to
said original shape randomly driving during use of said
toothbrush.
2. The toothbrush of claim 1 wherein said at least one cleaning
element comprises bristles secured to said membrane by in-molded
technology.
3. The toothbrush of claim 1 wherein said head is generally oval
shaped, and said membrane being generally oval shaped.
4. The toothbrush of claim 3 wherein said membrane is convex in
both its transverse and longitudinal directions.
5. A method of making a toothbrush comprising: forming a head with
a base portion having an upstanding wall to create a frame
including a peripheral mounting surface on the wall and a handle
attached to the head; mounting a bristle carrying surface to the
frame to be attached to the peripheral mounting surface, wherein
the bristle carrying surface is a dome shaped membrane made from a
flexible resilient material, securing the dome shaped membrane to
the peripheral mounting surface of the wall in such a manner than
an open space is provided below the membrane; and attaching
bristles to the membrane by in-molded technology.
6. The method of claim 5 wherein the bristles are attached to the
membrane and the membrane is attached to the head before forming
the handle.
7. The method of claim 5 wherein the bristles are attached to the
membrane and the membrane is attached to the head after forming the
handle.
8. The method of claim 5 wherein the bristles are attached to the
membrane during formation of the handle.
9. A toothbrush comprising a handle and a head portion, said head
portions containing an open area partially enclosed with
elastomeric material, elastomeric material having a portion
extending from said open area into said head portion, said material
being readily deflectable into the open area and in the extended
portion to alter its original orientation during use of said
toothbrush and then recovering to assume its original orientation
after use of said toothbrush; said head portion having cleaning
elements on said elastomeric material in said open area and in said
extended portion.
10. The toothbrush of claim 9 wherein said head portion contains
cleaning elements secured to the elastomeric material by in-molded
technology.
11. The toothbrush of claim 9 wherein said handle includes an open
area at least partially enclosed by elastomeric material, said
material being deflectable into said open area of said handle.
12. The toothbrush of claim 9 wherein said cleaning elements are
bristle tufts.
13. The toothbrush of claim 1, wherein a section of the toothbrush
includes powered cleaning elements.
14. A method of making a toothbrush comprising: forming a head and
a handle attached to the head; wherein a portion of the head
includes an open area surrounded in part by elastomeric material,
said elastomeric material having a portion extending from said open
area into said head, said material being readily deflectable into
the open area and in the extended portion and; attaching cleaning
elements to the elastomeric material in said open area and in the
extended portion by in-molded technology.
15. The method of claim 14 wherein the cleaning elements are
attached to the elastomeric material during formation of the
handle.
16. A toothbrush comprising a handle, a head mounted to said
handle, said head having a longitudinal axis, a spine extending
collinear with said longitudinal axis dividing said head into a
pair of side by side longitudinal sections connected to said spine,
said spine being confined to said head, a plurality of cleaning
elements on each of said sections extending outwardly from said
sections in a direction away from said longitudinal axis, and said
spine forming a hinge axis made of a resilient material to comprise
a spring-like hinge whereby said sections may pivot from and to an
original position.
17. The toothbrush of claim 16 wherein each of said side by side
sections includes an inner set of cleaning elements and an outer
set of cleaning elements.
18. The toothbrush of claim 17 wherein the terminal ends of said
inner sets of cleaning elements taper toward said hinge axis.
19. The toothbrush of claim 17 wherein said terminal ends of said
inner sets of cleaning elements form an obtuse angle with respect
to each other.
20. The toothbrush of claim 17 wherein said outer sets of cleaning
elements are longer than said inner sets of cleaning elements.
21. The toothbrush of claim 17 wherein said inner set of cleaning
elements have spaced gaps in each inner set, and said gaps in said
sets being offset with respect to each other to create a staggered
pattern.
22. The toothbrush of claim 17 wherein said outer sets of cleaning
elements are plaque bristles mounted in a single row.
23. The toothbrush of claim 22 wherein said inner sets of cleaning
elements are IMT bristles.
24. The toothbrush of claim 23 wherein said IMT bristles of each
set are mounted in an IMT container extending toward the distal end
of said head, and said plaque bristles of each set are mounted in a
bristle container disposed along side of and connected to said IMT
container for each of said sections, said IMT containers extending
further from said handle than said bristle containers, and a side
plate longitudinally abutting each of said bristle containers and
disposed against said IMT container for the remaining length of
said IMT container on each of said sections to create a smooth
continuous outer side surface of said head at each of said
sections.
25. The toothbrush of claim 24 wherein said IMT containers are made
from a flexible material.
26. The toothbrush of claim 24 wherein said side plates are made
from a flexible material.
27. The toothbrush of claim 24 wherein said IMT containers are
integral with said spine, and said bristle containers being made
from a hard plastic material.
28. The toothbrush of claim 17 wherein said inner set of cleaning
elements are mounted in an inner container, and said outer set of
cleaning elements being mounted in an outer container disposed
along side of and connected to said inner container.
29. The toothbrush of claim 28 wherein said inner containers are
made of a flexible material integral with spine.
30. The toothbrush of claim 28 wherein said inner containers extend
outwardly away from said handle a greater distance than said outer
containers, and each of said sections having a side plate
longitudinally abutting said outer container and disposed against
said inner container for the remaining length of said inner
container to create a smooth continuous outer side surface of said
head at each of said sections.
31. The toothbrush of claim 16 wherein said handle includes a
recessed grip portion.
32. The toothbrush of claim 16, wherein said side-by-side
longitudinal sections form an obtuse angle with respect to each
other in said original position.
33. The toothbrush of claim 1, wherein the mounting surface of the
wall is inwardly inclined.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention is directed to a manually held and
operated toothbrush or to a powered toothbrush which includes a
handle and a head. Cleaning elements are mounted to the head such
as tufts of bristles. When toothpaste is applied to the cleaning
elements the user inserts the head into the mouth and brushes the
teeth in a known manner.
[0002] The head of a conventional toothbrush usually has a flat or
slightly altered surface to which cleaning elements are attached.
Usually the cleaning elements are strands of plastic material(s)
formed into tufts or other groupings. The strand groupings are
attached to the head either before or after forming the toothbrush
handle.
[0003] Various attempts have been made for providing flexibility to
the manner in which the bristles are attached. Various approaches
have also been taken wherein the bristle carrying surface of the
head is not flat. U.S. Pat. No. 1,688,581, for example, discloses a
toothbrush having a bristle carrying member which is ordinarily
bowed inwardly into the hollow head. The bristle carrying member
can be bowed outwardly by manipulating a wire mounted in the
toothbrush.
[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 5,483,722 discloses a toothbrush with a
resilient flexible bristle support which spans spaced parallel
handle extensions. Different embodiments of the toothbrush include
having the support bowed inwardly or bowed outwardly.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 5,325,560 relates to an orthodontic toothbrush
which includes various rows of bristles including centrally located
longitudinally arranged sets of bristles mounted on a flexible
member over an air pocket.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 5,799,354 discloses a toothbrush of rocker
formation wherein base sections are joined together by hinges. The
toothbrush also includes a hollow space below the base
sections.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 5,454,133 discloses a toothbrush having a
closed system of passageways for a non-compressible medium such as
a compressed gas which flows below the bristle carrying base
members.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 6,088,870 discloses a toothbrush head with
flexibly mounted bristles by utilizing a flexibly resilient lattice
network so that the bristles deflect during brushing to conform to
various arcuate surfaces of the teeth.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 2,003,243 issued May 28, 1935 to Campbell et
al. discloses blocks containing groups of bristles that are mounted
on a flexible wire attached to a rigid toothbrush head (page 1,
column 2, lines 45-55). The flexibility of this mounting wire helps
the bristles to conform to the shape of teeth being cleaned.
[0010] Blakeman U.S. Pat. No. 2,706,825 issued Apr. 26, 1955
discloses a demountable bristle holder for a toothbrush which
flexes up and down relative to the longitudinal axis of the
toothbrush body. This flexible member changes position. This plus
the pressure of the brush against teeth and movement of the brush
permits the brush to contact the teeth at various degrees of
conformation (column 2, lines 15-18).
[0011] Peters U.S. Pat. No. 4,520,526 issued Jun. 4, 1985 has a
flexible section in the handle which permits the head portion to
move relative to the handle portion of the toothbrush in one plane.
This patent suggests that the flexibility avoids damaging delicate
tooth material and gum tissue (column 1, line 42-44). Similar
structures for imparting flexibility to the head of a toothbrush
and thereby reduce wear on tooth and gum are disclosed in U.S. Pat.
No. 5,146,645.
[0012] Other approaches to flexible mounting of toothbrush cleaning
elements are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,355,546 and 5,839,149.
In these patents, the head of the toothbrush is placed under the
biting surface of the tooth in a plane perpendicular to the plane
of the tooth. The head of the brush when so oriented has short
bristles in the middle of the head which are pushed against the
biting surface which causes longer outer bristles to rotate into
engagement with the side of the teeth and the gum line.
[0013] U.S. Pat. No. 5,987,690 issued Nov. 23, 1999 to Heuler
discloses a toothbrush with linkages between handle and head that
facilitate deflection of the head so that the free bristle ends
retain parallel alignment with respect to the handle during
use.
[0014] U.S. Pat. No. 6,003,189 issued Dec. 21, 1999 discloses a
flexible section of a toothbrush between handle and head to absorb
part of the force applied by the user of a toothbrush. An elastic
shock absorbing means is inserted in this section to bias the head
into its inoperative position.
[0015] U.S. Pat. No. 6,141,817 discloses a toothbrush head with a
central longitudinal axis that underlies the middle of a resilient
member containing bristles. The central axis limits deformation of
the middle of the resilient member. The balance of the head on
either side of the central axis is sloped to allow greater movement
of the flexible member, thereby causing outer bristles to splay
outward. The outward spraying is believed to improve crevice
intrusion of the bristles (column 2, lines 40-46).
[0016] European Patent Publication 0 454 625 A1 dated Oct. 30, 1991
discloses a cam in the handle of a tooth-brush that can be used to
change the angular orientation of the head relative to the
handle.
[0017] Other attempts made in the prior art to provide some form of
movability of cleaning elements are described in U.S. Pat. No.
5,228,466 and WO 90/01281 which disclose a toothbrush wherein both
the handle and head are longitudinally hinged so as to provide
displaceable bristles which are straddled about a row of teeth.
[0018] U.S. Pat. No. 1,616,484 discloses a toothbrush which is
hinged along the length of the handle so that two spaced head
sections can be disposed back to back with respect to each other.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,616,484 discloses a hinged toothbrush that would
provide for brushing a tooth from three different directions. U.S.
Pat. Nos. 5,528,782 and 5,269,083 disclose the bristles as being
mounted in a rocking manner. U.S. Pat. No. 5,799,354 discloses the
utilization of a hollow space to provide for a hinging action. U.S.
Pat. No. 1,924,152 discloses a toothbrush having rows of rubber
bristles. U.S. Pat. No. 301,644 discloses a toothbrush having rows
of bristles mounted in rubber tongues.
[0019] U.S. Pat. No. Des. 421,843 illustrates a toothbrush wherein
the bristle carrying surfaces appears to be non-planar.
[0020] U.S. Pat. No. 4,240,452 discloses an elastic base toothbrush
wherein a bristle carrying plate is mounted over rubber tubes.
[0021] A number of patents disclose some tooth and/or gum massage
devices having non-planar surfaces. For example, British Patent No.
524135 relates to a gum massaging device having an air filled
hollow rubber head to provide an air cushion for the gum massaging
members. U.S. Pat. No. 1,058,273 discloses a massaging device
having an interior air space. U.S. Pat. No. 2,148,483 discloses a
tooth and gum massager and exerciser which includes a void filled
with air. U.S. Pat. No. 2,176,309 also discloses a gum massager
having air pockets.
[0022] Hairbrushes are also disclosed in various patents having
dome shaped outer surfaces. Examples of these patents include U.S.
Pat. Nos. 3,739,419, 4,500,939 and 5,581,840. Similarly U.S. Pat.
No. Des. 892,299 shows a toilet brush with a convex shaped bristle
carrying surface.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0023] An object of this invention is to provide a toothbrush head
having a dome shaped or a trampoline type cleaning element carrying
surface to provide increased flexibility of the cleaning
elements.
[0024] A further object of this invention is to provide a
toothbrush wherein the head is hinged along a hinge axis collinear
with the longitudinal axis of the head.
[0025] A still further object of this invention is to provide such
a toothbrush which utilizes cleaning elements that can wrap around
the edge of the teeth for simultaneous contact with both the front
and top of the teeth.
[0026] A yet further object of this invention is to provide
manufacturing techniques for making such a toothbrush.
[0027] In accordance with one aspect of this invention a toothbrush
includes a head in the form of a base having an upstanding wall to
create a peripheral frame. A thin resilient membrane is mounted to
the frame with an open space between the membrane and the frame. In
its initial condition, when the toothbrush is not being used the
membrane is convex so that its original shape is dome-like. The
membrane is capable of flexing to alter the original shape during
use when the cleaning elements carried by the membrane are brushed
against the teeth to recover to the original shape randomly during
such use.
[0028] Preferably, the cleaning elements are bristles secured to
the membrane by in-molded technology.
[0029] In a preferred practice of the invention the toothbrush head
is oval shaped and the membrane is also oval shaped. The membrane
is convex in both its longitudinal and transverse directions.
[0030] In accordance with another aspect, this invention provides a
simplified and effective way to obtain desired flexibility in head
and handle. Like a trampoline, at least the portion of the head
carrying bristles is constructed to allow easy deformation of the
bristles when in use, which improves contact with, and cleaning of,
teeth. Pressure on the bristles against the teeth causes the head
to deflect along with the bristles but the flexible head is
designed to return to its original position once the pressure on
the bristle is relieved. During the transition from heavy pressure
to no pressure on the handle, the bristle stays in constant contact
with the tooth because of the flexibility built into the toothbrush
head.
[0031] In accordance with still another aspect of this invention
the head of the toothbrush has a spine which extends collinear with
the longitudinal axis of the head thereby dividing the head into a
pair of side by side longitudinal sections connected to the spine.
The spine forms a hinge axis made of resilient material which
serves as a spring so as to permit the sections to move from and to
an original position in response to contacting the teeth.
[0032] In a preferred practice of this aspect of the invention the
side by side sections may also include soft flexible material.
Preferably, the cleaning elements on each section include an outer
set of cleaning elements of longer length than an inner set. The
outer cleaning elements could function as plaque removal bristles
which are of sufficient length to extend partially along the tooth
while the inner cleaning elements brush against the tooth. The
terminal surfaces of the inner sets of cleaning elements preferably
form an obtuse angle from the two sets of inner cleaning elements
of the side by side sections to maximize contact with the teeth
when the sections are in their original position. During use the
brush head is pressed against the edge of the teeth thus causing
the flexible hinge to open and close during cleaning.
THE DRAWINGS
[0033] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a toothbrush in accordance
with this invention;
[0034] FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the toothbrush shown in
FIG. 1;
[0035] FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the toothbrush shown
in FIGS. 1-2;
[0036] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken through FIG. 3 along
the line 4-4;
[0037] FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of a powered toothbrush
in accordance with this invention;
[0038] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a toothbrush having elastic
areas in the head and handle to allow deflection of the brush,
bristles and handle for better teeth cleaning and control in
accordance with a further embodiment of this invention;
[0039] FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the toothbrush shown in
FIG. 6;
[0040] FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the toothbrush shown in FIGS.
6-7;
[0041] FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of the toothbrush of FIG.
6 showing deflection in the open area under the bristles and the
handle area;
[0042] FIG. 10 is a top plan view of a powered toothbrush in
accordance with the embodiment of FIGS. 6-9 of this invention;
[0043] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a toothbrush formed in
accordance with still another embodiment of this invention;
[0044] FIG. 12 is a side elevational view of the toothbrush shown
in FIG. 11;
[0045] FIG. 13 is a top plan view of the toothbrush shown in FIGS.
11-12;
[0046] FIG. 14 is an end elevational view of the toothbrush shown
in FIGS. 11-13 in its original closed position;
[0047] FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken through FIG. 13
along the line 15-15, but with the brush head in its hinged open
position and omitting some of the cleaning elements; and
[0048] FIG. 16 is a front elevational view of a powered toothbrush
in accordance with the embodiment of FIGS. 11-15 of this
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0049] FIGS. 1-4 illustrate a toothbrush 10 in accordance with one
embodiment of this invention. As shown therein toothbrush 10
includes a handle 12 and a head 14. Handle 12 may include a
suitable grip pad 16 made of an elastomer material. The invention,
however, is primarily directed to the structure of head 14. As
shown in FIG. 4 head 14 has a base portion 18 with an upstanding
wall 20 to create a peripheral frame extending outwardly above base
portion 18. In accordance with this invention a membrane 22 is
attached to frame 20 completely along its periphery. Membrane 22 in
its initial non-use condition is convex or bowed outwardly as best
shown in FIG. 4. The convex bowing would be preferably both in the
longitudinal and transverse directions thus presenting a dome-like
outer surface 24 to which cleaning elements 26 are connected.
[0050] The invention in all embodiments is particularly suitable
for cleaning elements in the form of strands or bristles attached
via in-molded technology (IMT) methods that generally require small
cross-sections of material into which the strands are permanently
attached. The strands utilizing IMT methods are preferably attached
during formation of the toothbrush handle or at least during
formation of the head which is the portion of the toothbrush to
which the strands and other materials are attached. A key feature
of the invention of FIGS. 1-4 and of FIG. 5 is the use of thin
cross-sections of material for membrane 22. Membrane 22 is flexible
and resilient. The cross-section shown, for example, in FIG. 4 is
formed like a moon crescent thus representing a shape similar to
the dome.
[0051] Because of the open space 28 between base portion 18 and
membrane 22 the membrane would move from its original dome-like
shape to be distorted into other shapes as the cleaning elements or
bristles 26 contact the teeth. Thus, the dome 22 has a thin
membrane of material or combinations of material that can flex to
become altered from its original shape and recover to its original
shape randomly during brushing. The bristles 26 are attached to the
flexible dome and move accordingly, creating a random topology and
by doing so improve the cleaning of the teeth. The moving bristle
strands have more degrees of motion than other toothbrushes and
thus represent a different and unique tooth brushing device.
[0052] In the illustrated embodiment of this invention the head 14
is generally oval shape and the membrane 22 has a corresponding
oval shape. See FIG. 3.
[0053] Any suitable form of cleaning elements may be used as the
cleaning elements 26 in the broad practice of this invention. The
term "cleaning elements" is intended to be used in a generic sense
which could include conventional fiber bristles or massage elements
or other forms of cleaning elements such as elastomeric fingers or
walls arranged in a circular cross-sectional shape or any type of
desired shape including straight portions or sinusoidal portions.
Where bristles are used, the bristles could be mounted to tuft
blocks or sections by extending through suitable openings in the
tuft blocks so that the base of the bristles is mounted within or
below the tuft block and below membrane 22.
[0054] It is to be understood that the specific illustration of the
cleaning elements is merely for exemplary purposes. The invention
can be practiced with various combinations of the same or different
cleaning element configurations (such as stapled or in-molded
technology bristles, anchor free technology (AFT), etc.) and/or
with the same bristle or cleaning element materials (such as nylon
bristles, spiral bristles, rubber bristles, etc.) Similarly, while
FIG. 2 illustrates the cleaning elements to be generally
perpendicular to the outer surface 24 membrane 22 or head 14 some
or all of the cleaning elements may be angled at various angles
with respect to the outer surface of head 14. It is thereby
possible to select the combination of cleaning element
configurations, materials and orientations to achieve specific
intended results to deliver additional oral health benefits, like
enhanced cleaning tooth polishing, tooth whitening and/or massaging
of the gums.
[0055] Preferably, however, cleaning elements 26 are IMT bristles
since IMT bristles require small cross-sections of material into
which the strands are attached and the membrane 22 in the preferred
practice of the invention has a small cross-section.
[0056] Although FIGS. 1-3 illustrate the membrane 22 to occupy
generally the entire head 14, the invention may be practiced where
the head 14 is of sufficient size that it could include other
bristle carrying surfaces adjacent to the dome shape membrane
22.
[0057] Although FIGS. 1-4 illustrate a manually operated
toothbrush, the invention may also be practiced where the head
includes one or more power or electrically operated movable
sections carrying cleaning elements. Such movable section may
oscillate in a rotational manner or may oscillate linearly in a
longitudinal direction with respect to the longitudinal axis of the
head or may oscillate linearly in a lateral or transverse direction
with respect to the longitudinal axis of the head. The movable
section may oscillate in and out in a direction toward and away
from the outer surface of the head. The movable section may rock
back and forth with respect to the outer surface of the head. The
movable section may rotate continuously in the same direction,
rather than oscillate. Any suitable drive mechanism may be used for
imparting the desired motion to the movable section. Where plural
movable sections are used, all of the movable sections may have the
same type and direction of movement, or combinations of different
movements may be used.
[0058] FIG. 5 illustrates a toothbrush 10A which includes a power
driven movable disc or section 30 having cleaning elements. The
movable section 30 could be oscillated rotationally such as by
using the type of drive mechanism shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,625,916,
or could move in and out using the type of drive mechanism shown in
U.S. Pat. No. Re 35,941, all of the details of both patents are
incorporated herein by reference thereto. Alternatively, the other
types of drives referred to above could move section 30 in other
manners and directions. Although FIG. 5 shows movable section 30 to
be at the distal end of the head, the movable section(s) could be
located at any desired location on the head.
[0059] Handle 12, base 18 and frame 20 are preferably made of hard
plastic materials which are used for manual toothbrushes. As noted,
however, a characteristic of dome shape membrane 22 is that it is
made of a flexible resilient material such as an elastomer capable
of being moved from its original position and then returning to
that original position.
[0060] Membrane 22 may be secured to frame 20 in any suitable
manner. Thus, for example, frame 20 includes inwardly inclined
surfaces for receiving membrane 22. Other structural arrangements
may be used within the practice of this invention to mount membrane
22 on head 14.
[0061] FIGS. 6-9 illustrate a manual toothbrush 10 in accordance
with another embodiment of this invention. This is a variation of
the prior embodiment using a trampoline type structure to achieve
an up and down motion. As shown therein toothbrush 110 includes a
handle 112 and a head 114. Handle 112 may include a suitable area
116 made of an elastomeric material. This elastomeric portion of
the handle is preferably molded with an open area 118 which is
readily deformable by the user. The elastomeric material 16 on the
top side of the handle 12 (as viewed in FIGS. 6, 7 and 9) will
yield under pressure of the user's fingers to provide a better grip
on the handle while providing a more comfortable feel to the
handle. FIG. 9 illustrates this elastomeric portion 116 of the
handle 112 in a depressed state. The downward arrow in this Figure
represents the pressure applied by the toothbrush user. The open
area 118 is thereby minimized. As soon as the user's pressure is
released, the properties of the elastomeric portion 116 of the
handle 112 return the elastomeric material 116 to its original
shape illustrated in FIG. 6.
[0062] A similar flexible, deformable open area 120 is created in
the head by inclusion of an elastomeric portion 122 in the head
overlying open area 120. Cleaning elements 124 are arrayed in the
elastomeric portion of the head and fastened thereto by known
methods including in-molded technology (IMT). Bristle attachment
utilizing IMT methods preferably occurs during formation of the
toothbrush handle or at least during formation of the elastomeric
portion 122 of the head 114.
[0063] In use, the application of pressure by the toothbrush user
causes a like pressure of the teeth against cleaning elements 124
as illustrated by the arrow in FIG. 9. This causes deflection of
the elastomeric portion 122 of head 114 which in turn causes a
reorientation of cleaning elements relative to the teeth being
cleaned. As the user's pressure is reduced, the open area 120 of
head 114 opens up causing the cleaning elements to follow the shape
of the teeth being brushed and thereby improving the cleaning of
the teeth. When all user pressure is released, the open area 120
returns to its original shape.
[0064] The elastomeric portion 122 of head 114 should be a material
or combinations of material that can flex to become altered from
its original shape and recover to its original shape randomly
during brushing. The cleaning elements, for example, bristles, are
attached to the flexible membrane creating a flexible orientation
of cleaning elements 124 which improves the cleaning of the teeth.
The moving bristle strands have considerable degrees of motion and
thus provide a unique tooth brushing experience.
[0065] Any suitable form of cleaning elements may be used as the
cleaning elements 124 in the broad practice of this invention, as
discussed with the embodiments of FIGS. 1-5. It is to be understood
that the specific illustration of the cleaning elements is merely
for exemplary purposes. The invention can be practiced with various
combinations of the same or different cleaning element
configurations (such as stapled or in-molded technology bristles,
AFT, etc.) and/or with the same bristle or cleaning element
materials (such as nylon bristles, spiral bristles, rubber
bristles, etc.) Similarly, while FIGS. 7 and 9 illustrates the
cleaning elements to be generally perpendicular to the elastomeric
portion 122 of head 114, some or all of the cleaning elements may
be angled at various angles. It is thereby possible to select the
combination of cleaning element configurations, materials and
orientations to achieve specific intended results to deliver
additional oral health benefits, like enhanced cleaning, tooth
polishing, tooth whitening and/or massaging of the gums.
[0066] Portions of handle 112 and head 114, may be made of hard
plastic material which is used for manual toothbrushes. As noted,
however, a feature of this toothbrush is use of elastomeric
portions 116 of the handle and/or elastomeric portion 122 of head
114, such as an elastomer capable of being moved from its original
position and then returning to its original position.
[0067] This invention may also be practiced where the head 114
includes one or more power or electrically operated movable
sections carrying cleaning elements.
[0068] FIG. 10 illustrates a toothbrush 110A which includes a power
driven movable disc or section 150 having cleaning elements. The
movable section 150 could be similar to section 30 of FIG. 5.
Although FIG. 10 shows movable section 150 to be at the one end of
the head, as with FIG. 5, the movable section(s) could be located
at any desired location on the head.
[0069] In another embodiment of this invention a toothbrush
includes a head longitudinally separated into side by side areas by
means of a flexible hinge structure that serves as a spring to
return the brush head materials and cleaning areas to their
original position. FIGS. 11-13 illustrate a toothbrush 210 which
includes an elongated handle 212 and a head 214. A portion of
handle 212 may be recessed at gripping area 216 between shoulders
218 and 220. Shoulder 218 could extend outwardly a sufficient
distance to act as a hook or ledge to facilitate hanging the
toothbrush in an inverted condition.
[0070] Head 214 and handle 212 are elongated and have a
longitudinal axis. As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 head 214 includes a
spine 222 which extends collinear with the longitudinal or major
axis of the toothbrush handle and head. As a result, head 214 is
separated into two side by side longitudinal sections 224,226
connected to the spine 222. Spine 222 is made of a resilient
material such as an elastomer which is sufficiently flexible as to
be movable and yet return to its original position. As a result,
spine 222 functions as a hinge axis whereby the side by side
sections 224,226 may move or pivot about the spine away from the
original position shown in FIG. 14 to an open position such as
shown in FIG. 15 when the cleaning elements on the sections 224,226
contact the teeth. Then sections 224,226 return to their original
position under the influence of the resilient hinge or spine 222.
Preferably hinge or spine 222 is confined to head 214.
[0071] As illustrated, each of the sections 224,226 includes sets
of cleaning elements. For example, an outer set of cleaning
elements 228 is located at the outer periphery of each section
224,226 while an inner set of cleaning elements 230 is located
closer to the spine 222. Preferably, the terminal surfaces 232 of
the inner cleaning elements 230 are tapered toward the hinge axis
222 so that the adjacent terminal ends 232 of each inner set of
cleaning elements forms an obtuse angle as indicated by the letter
A in FIG. 14 when the brush head is in its original position.
[0072] The outer sets of cleaning elements 228 extend outwardly a
longer distance from the outer surface of the sections than do the
inner cleaning elements 230. As a result, the combined cleaning
elements are designed to wrap around the edge of the teeth for
simultaneous possible contact with both the front and top of the
teeth. See FIG. 14. During use the brush head is pressed against
the edge of the teeth causing the flexible hinge to open and close
during cleaning.
[0073] As illustrated in FIGS. 11-13 in a preferred practice of the
invention the outer sets of cleaning elements 228 are bristle
bundles of plaque bristles. The inner sets of cleaning elements 230
may be bristles formed by in-molded technology (IMT) where sets of
bristles are fused together at one end and the fused end is
inserted in a mold cavity during the manufacture of the head.
[0074] FIG. 15 shows the sections 224,226 in their open position.
FIG. 15 omits some of the cleaning elements so as to provide a
better understanding of how the cleaning elements are mounted. As
shown therein, the plaque bristles 228 are in the form of bristle
bundles or tufts inserted into individual holes 234 in bristle
container 236. The inner sets of cleaning elements 230 are IMT
bristles mounted in IMT container 238. The IMT containers 238 may
be made of soft flexible elastomer material integral with hinge
axis 222, as shown in FIG. 15.
[0075] As shown in FIGS. 11-13 the bristle container 236 does not
extend completely to the distal end of the head 214. Accordingly,
side plates 240 are provided on each side of the head
longitudinally abutting against bristle containers 236 and disposed
against containers 238 for the remaining length of containers 238
so that a smooth contour results along the side of the head 214.
Side plates 240 may also be made of a soft, flexible elastomer
material.
[0076] As best shown in FIGS. 11-12 each inner row of IMT bristles
230 has its bristles spaced apart or staggered so that the inclined
IMT bristles of each section may fit between the spacing of
adjacent IMT bristles of the other section.
[0077] Although FIGS. 11-15 illustrate a preferred form of cleaning
elements to be the plaque bristles and IMT bristles any suitable
form of cleaning elements may be used as the cleaning elements 228
and 230 as previously described. Thus the term "cleaning elements"
is intended to be used in a generic sense which could include
conventional fiber bristles or massage elements or other forms of
cleaning elements such as elastomeric fingers or walls arranged in
a circular cross-sectional shape or any type of desired shape
including straight portions or sinusoidal portions. Where bristles
are used, the bristles could be mounted to tuft blocks or sections
by extending through suitable openings in the tuft blocks so that
the base of the bristles is mounted within or below the tuft
block.
[0078] Similarly, it is to be understood that the specific
illustration of the cleaning elements is merely for exemplary
purposes. The invention can be practiced with various combinations
of the same or different cleaning element configurations (such as
stapled or IMT bristles, AFT, etc.) and/or with the same bristle or
cleaning element materials (such as nylon bristles, spiral
bristles, rubber bristles, etc.) Similarly, while FIG. 12
illustrates the cleaning elements to be generally perpendicular to
the outer surface of head 214 some or all of the cleaning elements
may be angled at various angles with respect to the outer surface
of head 214. It is thereby possible to select the combination of
cleaning element configurations, materials and orientations to
achieve specific intended results to deliver additional oral health
benefits, like enhanced cleaning tooth polishing, tooth whitening
and/or massaging of the gums.
[0079] Handle 212 could be made of a conventional hard plastic
material which could, however, include a soft elastomer section 242
near the head 214. Bristle containers 236,236 could also be made of
a hard plastic material while side plates 240 and IMT containers
238 are made of a soft elastomer material. By having the bristle
containers 236 mounted against the IMT containers 238, the bristle
containers 236 and their cleaning elements 228 move along with the
movement of the IMT containers 238 in response to the IMT bristles
230 contacting the teeth. If desired, the bristle containers 236
may also be made of a soft elastomer material.
[0080] Although FIGS. 11-13 illustrate a manually operated
toothbrush, the invention may also be practiced where the head
includes one or more power or electrically operated movable
sections carrying cleaning elements. FIG. 6 illustrates a
toothbrush 210 which includes a power driven movable disc or
section 250 having cleaning elements, similar to the movable
sections of toothbrushes 10A and 110A.
* * * * *